Actor Woody Harrelson punched man in self-defence, say police
Woody Harrelson punched a man who lunged at him at the Watergate Hotel’s rooftop bar Wednesday (Oct 6) night in Washington, DC, police said. The Cheers star, 60, was not injured during the incident, the Washington Post reported. Cops said the unidentified man was snapping pictures of Harrelson and one of his daughters, according to the Post. He fell short when Harrelson punched him in the face, according to witnesses. Harrelson plays E Howard Hunt, the man who organised the break-in at the same hotel where Harrelson won the Wednesday night fight.
Source:The Star
October 11, 2021 03:56 UTC
Students in higher education to be periodically screened for Covid-19, says Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Students at higher-education institutions (IPT) nationwide will be periodically screened for Covid-19 when campuses reopen in stages starting Oct 15, says Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad. The Higher Education Minister said students would be periodically tested for Covid-19 via the Covid-19 saliva self-test kit that would be distributed by the Ministry. Dr Noraini was responding to Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (PH-Johor Bahru), who asked Noraini if there were plans by the Ministry to distribute free Covid-19 saliva self-test kits to higher education students nationwide. However, Noraini did not mention whether the Covid-19 saliva self-test kits would be distributed for free to the students. Meanwhile, Noraini said as of Oct 8, 2,286 students or 0.2% of IPT students could not be vaccinated due to health conditions.
Source:The Star
October 11, 2021 03:45 UTC
My Say: Three steps backward in 12MP?
We next take up the contentious issue of how the 30% equity ownership target is measured. Corporate equityThe 12MP report errs by suggesting that the 30% target has yet to be attained. A transparent and timely availability of ownership data would remove a key contributor to policy manipulation. The 12MP report speaks of a decline in the equity held by bumiputeras, resulting from a disposal of shares allocated to them. Revitalising our private sector and SMEsIn tandem with a GLC reform programme, there needs to be a revitalisation programme for the private sector, especially directed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Source:The Edge Markets
October 11, 2021 03:22 UTC
How the Belgium government is encouraging its citizens to cycle
Belgium's federal government recently launched Be Cyclist, its first ever action plan to promote cycling. Among the key measures announced are the expansion of allowances for employees who cycle to work, the establishment of new cycle paths and the creation of a central bicycle registry. In terms of infrastructure, the government wants to invest heavily in new cycle routes, including the development of cycle paths along railway lines. This could take the form of self-service bicycle stations near train stations, for example. The action plan is to be fully implemented by the end of 2024.
Source:The Star
October 11, 2021 03:00 UTC
Foreign funds return to Bursa Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors were back in buying mode on Bursa Malaysia last week, acquiring RM293.36mil net of local equities from an outflow of RM341.94mil a week prior. Retailers and foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of RM19.09mil and RM83.94mil respectively. MIDF said that cumulatively, for the week, retailers net sold RM68.01mil worth of equities on Bursa Malaysia. “Local institutions and foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of RM6.71bil and RM3.69bil, respectively,” MIDF said. In terms of participation, retail investors, local institutions and the foreign investors recorded weekly movements of -15.32%, +15.07% and +32.12% respectively in average daily trade value.
Source:The Star
October 11, 2021 02:37 UTC
Working with Covid-19: Ensuring Employee Safety in a Post-Pandemic Era
Health checks, tests as well as private hospitalisation and treatment for Covid-19 are not affordable to everyone. Covid-19 hospitalisation: Covers medically necessary hospitalisation claims due to Covid-19. Death benefit: Provides a lump sum payment and/or compassionate benefit if an employee passes away due to Covid-19. Provides a lump sum payment and/or compassionate benefit if an employee passes away due to Covid-19. “For example, if Covid-19 hospitalisation coverage is important to your organisation, you can add that to your group hospitalisation plan.
Source:The Edge Markets
October 11, 2021 00:43 UTC
US arrests couple on spy charges to sell nuclear-sub data
(Oct 11): The U.S. arrested a Navy Department employee and his wife on spying-related charges after they allegedly sold restricted data on nuclear-powered submarines to an FBI agent posing as a foreign official. The package’s contents were obtained in December by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s attache in the foreign country, according to the government’s criminal complaint, which didn’t identify the country. Materials he provided to the undercover agent include schematic designs for the Virginia-class submarine, according to the complaint. Over several months, the undercover agent sent a total of US$100,000 in cryptocurrency to Toebbe, who dropped off two SD cards containing restricted data related to submarine nuclear reactors, according to the DOJ. The FBI arrested the couple on Saturday after Jonathan Toebbe placed another SD card at a “dead drop” in West Virginia.
Source:The Edge Markets
October 10, 2021 23:48 UTC
'Oz' star Granville Adams dies at 58 after long battle with cancer
Granville Adams, the actor best known for his performance as Zahir Arif on HBO's Oz, has died following a long struggle with cancer. "Goodnight, sweet prince/and flights of angels sing thee to they rest," Fontana wrote. "As many of you know, our friend and brother Granville Adams has been diagnosed with cancer," Fontana wrote on GoFundMe in January. "I first met Granny in 1992 and I immediately drank the Kool Aid," Winters wrote. "I lost my brotha today after a long battle with cancer," Oz costar Kirk Acevedo wrote on Twitter.
Source:The Star
October 10, 2021 23:48 UTC
Revenge is sweet for Eoon even after three years
PETALING JAYA: It took almost three years for Eoon Qi Xuan (pic) to finally put her World Junior championships disappointment behind her. “I still remember vividly my defeat to Christophersen three years ago as it was a closely fought match,” said Qi Xuan. I was so upset because I could have ended my junior career with a flourish had I won that match. Despite securing the biggest win of her career against the Dane, Qi Xuan is not getting carried away. I still have many areas to improve on,” said Qi Xuan.
Source:The Star
October 10, 2021 23:14 UTC
Govt’s border move lauded
Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter chairman K. Raj Kumar said the long-awaited news would be a major boon for association members. Pelita Samudra Pertama (M) Sdn Bhd group executive director Datuk K. K. Sihabutheen said the long awaited move would see a rebound in nasi kandar businesses. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said interstate travel nationwide would resume for the fully vaccinated starting today. In Petaling Jaya, the Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association said SOPs should be in place following resumption of interstate travel. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said yesterday that her ministry was ready to implement the respective SOPs for the tourism sectors.
Source:The Star
October 10, 2021 23:08 UTC
LPT2 all set to welcome back travellers
As such, he said LPT2 has made thorough preparations, including safety and facilities, to ensure users have a comfortable travel experience and arrive safely at their destination. “Maintenance crews and customer service personnel along the 184km stretch are prepared for all eventualities. PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS)’ North South expressway traffic is expected to increase between 1.1 million and 1.3 million daily when interstate travel resumes. PLUS Malaysia chief operating officer Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said their highways are well prepared for the reopening of interstate travel. He said all 94 toll plazas in the northern and southern regions are ready for the influx of vehicles.
Source:The Star
October 10, 2021 23:03 UTC
Iraqis vote in parliamentary election as some stage boycott in test for democracy
Election volunteer Hamid Majid, 24, said he had voted for his old school teacher, a candidate for the Sadrists. In several parts of Baghdad, mosque loudspeakers were used to urge Iraqis to vote. Nonetheless, some Iraqis were keen to vote in what is Iraq's fifth parliamentary vote since 2003 — and are hopeful of change. The Kurds have two main parties that rule the autonomous Kurdistan region, and Sunnis this time have two main blocs. Go out and vote for Iraq and vote for your future."
Source:The Edge Markets
October 10, 2021 12:11 UTC
Radzi: Almost 80% students aged 12-17 received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Nearly 80% of students aged between 12 and 17 have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine jab so far, said Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin. He posted on Facebook that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will always work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in implementing the vaccination programme for adolescents aged between 12 and 17 or the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK)-Adolescent initiative that began in early September. "Alhamdulillah, today the MOH launched a new feature on vaccination details for schools under the MOE on the CovidNow website. "Through this new feature, parents or guardians can check the vaccination rate of students in their children's respective schools. Radzi said such effort will provide transparent information for the public, especially parents as well as guardians, and is part of measures under the country's transition to the endemic phase.
Source:The Edge Markets
October 10, 2021 11:36 UTC
UK energy cap non-negotiable, no bailouts, says business secretary
LONDON (Oct 10): Kwasi Kwarteng has said there are no bailouts on the cards for struggling UK energy companies, and that the government will retain its price cap to insulate consumers from surging wholesale gas prices. "We expect more [energy] retailers to go out of business, yes," Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive officer (CEO) of the trade association, Energy UK, said on Sky. Kwarteng said keeping in place the UK's current energy price cap for consumers is "non-negotiable". "I can't say it enough times, that the price cap is staying," he said on Sky News. Energy-intensiveThe energy price cap, which is adjusted twice a year, protects households to some extent, but large factories are more exposed.
Source:The Edge Markets
October 10, 2021 08:52 UTC
Taiwan will not be forced to bow to China, says president
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Saturday to realise "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan and did not directly mention the use of force. Addressing a National Day rally, Tsai said she hoped for an easing of tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and reiterated Taiwan will not "act rashly". "This is because the path that China has laid out offers neither a free and democratic way of life for Taiwan, nor sovereignty for our 23 million people." "This speech advocated Taiwan independence, incited confrontation, cut apart history, and distorted facts," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said. 'Complex' situationBeijing has refused to deal with Tsai, calling her a separatist who refuses to acknowledge Taiwan is part of "one China", and does not recognise Taiwan's government.
Source:The Edge Markets
October 10, 2021 03:11 UTC